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Finland – Nordic Nature and Comforting CuisineFinland is a Nordic country famous for its forests, thousands of lakes, long winters and strong connection to nature. Finnish cuisine makes excellent use of seasonal ingredients, particularly potatoes, carrots, parsnips and other root vegetables that can be stored throughout the colder months. Simple, nourishing soups are an important part of everyday home cooking, offering warmth and comfort when temperatures drop.
What Is Porkkana-Palsternakkasosekeitto?The Finnish name describes the dish perfectly: "porkkana" means carrot, "palsternakka" means parsnip and "sosekeitto" means puréed soup. This creamy vegetable soup combines the natural sweetness of carrots with the earthy, aromatic flavor of parsnips. A small potato provides body, while plant-based cream creates a smooth texture. My vegan version is finished with fresh dill and given a spooky Halloween makeover with a homemade pizza dough witch's broom and decorative vegetable skewers.
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Finland – The Land of a Thousand LakesFinland is a Nordic country known for its forests, countless lakes, long winters and strong connection to nature. Its traditional cuisine reflects the country's geography and climate, with potatoes, root vegetables, rye bread, berries, mushrooms and fish playing important roles. Simple, warming soups are particularly popular, and fresh herbs such as dill bring characteristic Nordic flavors to many dishes.
What Is Lohikeitto?Lohikeitto is a traditional Finnish salmon soup made with fresh salmon, potatoes, leek, often carrots, cream and fresh dill. The name comes from the Finnish words "lohi" (salmon) and "keitto" (soup). My vegan interpretation replaces the salmon with homemade carrot lox, marinated in nori, soy sauce, lemon and liquid smoke. Oat cream and unsweetened oat drink create a rich, comforting broth without dairy, while the classic combination of potatoes, vegetables and dill remains.
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USA – A Country of Comfort Food and Halloween TraditionsThe United States has a wonderfully diverse food culture shaped by regional traditions and generations of immigration. Mac and Cheese is one of its most beloved comfort food classics, while Halloween has become a spectacular celebration of costumes, decorated houses, carved pumpkins and spooky creativity. Although many Halloween customs have European roots, the United States helped shape the pumpkin-filled celebration we recognize today.
What Is Mac and Cheese?Mac and Cheese is a classic American dish made with macaroni and a creamy cheese sauce, often prepared with a butter-and-flour roux and finished in the oven. My vegan version uses plant-based cheddar, vegan Parmesan, nutritional yeast and a creamy béchamel-style sauce. Roasted Hokkaido pumpkin adds extra flavor, while the hollowed-out pumpkin becomes an edible Jack-o'-Lantern serving bowl with a crispy panko topping.
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Germany – Where the Broiler Became an East German IconGermany's regional food culture reflects a fascinating mix of traditions and historical influences. During the years of the German Democratic Republic (DDR), the word Broiler became an everyday term for roast chicken. Borrowed from English, where broiling refers to cooking with intense direct heat and broiler also describes a chicken raised for meat, the term became firmly established in East German food culture. Goldbroiler restaurants and takeaway counters helped turn the dish into a familiar DDR favorite.
What Is a Goldbroiler?A Goldbroiler is a seasoned roast chicken with a characteristic golden-brown skin. Its popularity grew in the DDR during the 1960s, when poultry production and dedicated chicken restaurants expanded. My vegan version replaces the chicken with a plant-based alternative and recreates the crispy skin using seasoned rice paper. Homemade fries, white cabbage coleslaw and espresso ketchup complete this nostalgic East German-inspired meal.
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Belgium – A Country of Regional Culinary Traditions Belgium is famous for much more than waffles, chocolate and fries. Its regional cuisine combines French and Flemish influences with hearty home cooking, seasonal vegetables and flavorful sauces. Brussels sprouts have a particularly strong historical association with the region around Brussels, while warm salads are a familiar part of Belgian culinary tradition.
What Is Belgian Brussels Sprout Salad? This warm Brussels sprout salad is inspired by Salade Liégeoise, a traditional dish from the Liège region commonly prepared with green beans, potatoes, bacon and a tangy dressing. My Via Veggie Vegan version replaces those vegetables with tender Brussels sprout leaves, uses vegan ham instead of bacon and adds caramelized walnuts, pomegranate seeds and two edible pizza dough ghosts. It is a creative Belgian-inspired variation rather than a traditional Salade Liégeoise.
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Andorra – A Tiny Mountain Country with Hearty Culinary TraditionsNestled high in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra is one of Europe's smallest countries. Its mountain cuisine reflects centuries of Catalan influence, cold winters and a love of simple, nourishing ingredients. Potatoes, cabbage, beans and rustic vegetable dishes have long been staples of traditional Andorran cooking.
What Is Trinxat?Trinxat is one of the best-known traditional dishes of Andorra and the Catalan Pyrenees. Its name comes from the Catalan word meaning chopped or mashed. Traditionally prepared with potatoes, winter cabbage and pork fat or bacon, the mixture is pressed into a thick, tortilla-like cake and pan-fried until beautifully golden. The result is a wonderful contrast between a crispy exterior and a soft, comforting centre. This vegan version replaces the bacon with plant-based ham, uses aromatic mustard oil and finishes in the oven rather than the frying pan.
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Germany – A Country of Regional Food Traditions Germany's culinary heritage extends far beyond sausages and sauerkraut. Every region has its own specialties, and Thuringia in central Germany is particularly associated with hearty home cooking. During the years of the German Democratic Republic (DDR), many traditional regional dishes continued to be prepared in everyday kitchens, often with simple, affordable ingredients.
What Is Thüringer Malzbiersuppe? Beer soups have existed in German cooking for centuries, long before the DDR. This Thuringian-inspired malt soup draws on that tradition, using sweet malt flavors, bread and savory seasonings. While malt beer is commonly used for this type of preparation, my version uses Karamalz, an alcohol-free malt drink, because alcohol has no place in my cooking. Rosemary, plant-based cream and crispy croutons complete my vegan interpretation.
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Tanzania – A Country of Vibrant Street Food Tanzania is an East African country known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage and lively food culture. From bustling city markets to roadside food stalls, affordable and satisfying street food plays an important role in everyday life.
What Is Chipsi Mayai? Chipsi Mayai is a popular Tanzanian street food made by cooking French fries directly into beaten eggs. The name combines the Swahili words for fries and eggs. Traditionally pan-fried and often served with fresh salad or chili sauce, this simple dish becomes a vegan oven-baked version with chickpea flour, soy yogurt and Kala Namak.
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Afghanistan – A Country of Hospitality and Rich Culinary TraditionsAfghanistan lies at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, and its cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Fragrant spices, fresh herbs, vegetables, flatbreads and yogurt-based accompaniments play important roles in Afghan cooking, where sharing food is an expression of hospitality.
What Is Borani Kadoo?Borani Kadoo is an Afghan pumpkin dish featuring tender pumpkin cooked in a richly seasoned tomato sauce and served with garlic yogurt. Kadoo refers to pumpkin or squash, while borani describes a family of vegetable dishes accompanied by yogurt. The contrast between sweet pumpkin, savory tomato sauce and cool, tangy yogurt makes this dish particularly memorable. My version replaces dairy yogurt with a plant-based Chaka-inspired sauce and adds a few Via Veggie Vegan touches.
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China – A Culinary World of Regional DiversityChina has one of the world's most diverse culinary traditions, shaped by centuries of regional cooking techniques, ingredients and food culture. From delicate Cantonese preparations to the bold, spicy flavors of Sichuan and Hunan, vegetables play an important role in Chinese cuisine. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce and quick stir-frying techniques are especially familiar elements of Chinese home-style cooking.
What Is Suànróng Xīlánhuā?Suànróng Xīlánhuā (蒜蓉西兰花) literally means garlic broccoli. Traditionally, broccoli florets are briefly blanched or stir-fried with generous amounts of fresh garlic, creating a simple, aromatic vegetable dish. My Via Veggie Vegan version takes a different approach: an entire broccoli head is roasted with a glossy garlic-ginger glaze and served with water spinach, mung bean sprouts, sesame and coriander. The inspiration is Chinese; the whole-roasted presentation is my personal twist.
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